Holthus Paul

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Paul Holthus founded the World Ocean Council (WOC) - the Global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization - the international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainable development. The WOC brings together investment, shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, offshore energy, submarine cables, ports, and other sectors for global business community leadership, collaboration and action on the future of the ocean. In 2010, he started the annual WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), the premier high-level global ocean business and investment event on “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. In 2020 he launched the annual Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN). Paul is a globally recognized leader in ocean and coastal sustainable development, investment and conservation. He has held senior positions with IUCN (Deputy Director, Global Marine Programme), UN Environment and other international organizations. He has worked in 30+ countries, with companies, communities, industry associations, UN agencies, NGOs, and governments on practical ocean sustainability solutions. Paul has advanced degrees in marine resources and international business, was a Fulbright scholar in Australia and is an East-West Center alum. Paul is a regular speaker at international business, investment and intergovernmental events, was invited to be on the UN Secretary General’s ocean advisory panel for Rio+20 and is the only global ocean industry organization representative invited to address the UN General Assembly.